Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-03
GIU - Z p PIN A.
A LOMBARD EPISODE.
BY OSCAR VAvAsEUR.
[COpYri0Ated 1871

confusion of sunny hair, framing an
oval face, full of poetry-innocent eX-
preston my tutor termed it, perhaps more
properly-large ingenious eyes which
seemed to have drawn their color from
her native SKY, and a form as perfect al
most as Milo's sculptured dream. Such
was the peasant girl met in a Lombard
VILLAGE near Pavia Eve years ago.
Though the recollection of the blonde
beauties of st. Petersburg was still fresh
pn my memory, though l had worshlped
the black hair, fair skin and damask
cheeks OF the Viennese bellies month be-
hore, and had just escaped by flight from
ahe spells OF the dark flashing eyes OF
Andalusia's ravishing daughters, | was
struck with this simple lass. Perhaps 1t
was became Of my p artiality for blondes
ahat she stood singular among a hundred
sun Drowned daughters OF the South. One
Sof her parents-which, l do not remem-
Der, if ever learned-was a German, and
hence her complexion. This penchant
imay have been partially the cause for
my admiration for in the water color
portrait before me fail TO discover suffi-
Acient beauty to awaken a feeling Of inter-
Sest. Yet l never considered her features
artistlcally correct. 1t was that remark
able expression which l have mentioned
before, her superb figure, and her native
ELEGANCE Of manner and department that
fascinated me.
Our landlords SON had driven us over
10 fair in another village. a few miles
from where we were stopping, and
khe was standing in front of one OF the
inf Ion Dhinn al tho hlaf
Iery of some mountebanks when i first
saw her.
My tutor laughed when 1 pointed her
out TO him.
"You forget Count VS. daughter"
he said, "you told her on your knees that
she was"
put my hand over his mouth and pre-
vented his further recalling that sweet
but foolish dream of callow youth.
1t was customary for my travelling CON-
panion to become sarcastic on such oc-
casions. Fancy young mani empha-
fize the last world was Is, cum bered
with an Old Man of the Sea for tutelary
deity, who insists on catechising him on
kmorsl philosophy or ancient history at
1.-The point where compliment impercepti-
billy passes to sentiment in converse
tion with a lady. Add to that the
peculiar susceptibility of the victim
land you can readily conceive how ter
trlble must be the torture in having such
Ia mentor.
"Whatever 1 said TO Mile. w."
d said, "cannot alter the fact that
the girl before me is exceptionally
pretty"
The professor, as he loved to be called,
was rapidly becoming purple Ia the face,
as still held his mouth closed. For tn
same reason he could not speak and so
fwinked three times, like old Nortier, to
signify his assent to my declaration, on
which Withdrew my hand.
You mean Giuseppina, the pale grip"
asked Giacomo, our driver.
"Yes," / replied.
"All foreigners think her pretty, but"
He shrugged his shoulders TO signify
that he did not agree with their taste, a
trick that he had probably learned from
some French tourist.
"You know her them" queried, not
needing the depreoatory action, and anX-
Eious to speak with the girl from mere
curiosity that might be enabled to judge
of her character.
"Oh, yes che IL my cousin. See, that is
my sister Angola, her with the velvet
bodice, that is speaking with her."
"And you can bring me to hery"
Before 6iacomo could reply, the pro-
fessor somewhat alarmed broke In, aud
addressing me, said:
'sThere are some very fine ruins in this
peighborbood that show us in what man.
per the masters Of Como lived. We must
see them to-day ard we had better take
this opportunity and drive there now"
81 am not particularly interested in
antique beauty to-day" l replied. "My
caprice just now leads my admiration to-
wards youthful living loneliness. decline
to CO."
This defiant speech astonished the pro.
lessor.
"You must he began.
~ leaped from the vehicle.
"if ( must i am interested to know who
SHALL compel me-" / said. "Angiola shall
make me acquainted with this Giusep.
pima, and l shall be answerable for m
own actions.